Wayne Rooney has retired from international football after a record-breaking career

‘Wayne’s World’ looked something special as a fresh-faced Rooney, 18, made his debut at a major tournament in Portugal and scored four goals to lead England to the quarter-finals of Euro 2004.

Despite breaking his foot and seeing England crash-out to the host nation, the teen sensation had made his mark and had given an entire nation an exciting glimpse into the future.

He didn’t know it at the time - but that was as good as it was ever going to get in a Three Lions shirt for the most iconic English footballer of his generation.

Rooney went on to become his country’s captain and all-time leading goalscorer, beating Sir Bobby Charlton’s long-standing record. Fittingly, the moment came at Wembley on September 8, 2015 with his 50th goal for his country.

It is a remarkable achievement and his final tally of 53 goals might never be broken.

But as Rooney grows old he will look back on his time with England and find it impossible not to wonder what might have been.

After announcing his retirement from international football yesterday, he said: “One of my very few regrets is not to have been part of a successful England tournament side.”

No-one can take his 119 caps off him (he is the most capped outfield star of all time) and no-one can question his passion, commitment and total devotion to England.

But on the flip side, no-one can also question the fact Rooney went on to struggle to make an impact at major tournaments after 2004.

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Wayne Rooney became England's highest goalscorer after scoring against Switzerland

He scored just one goal at the three World Cups he took part in and just three in total in the five major tournaments he was involved in following his dramatic debut 13 years ago.

There were red cards, infamous rants born out of frustration and some epic lows, culminating in last summer’s humiliating exit to Iceland at Euro 2016 in Nice.

Yet there are mitigating circumstances surrounding Rooney and his career in the most famous and treasured shirt in English football.

For the past few years he has almost carried the national team on his back.

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Wayne Rooney lit up the international stage at 18 after his performance in the Euros 2004Related videos